Container for goods

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a goods container for loading spaces in vehicles, preferably in aircraft, which goods container comprises at least one goods storage space for the loading, storage, transport and unloading of goods. With a view to achieving a goods container which allows optimum utilization of the loading space of a vehicle, preferably of an aircraft, the goods container has at least one sidewall ( 1, 2, 3  and  4 ), a bottom ( 5 ) and a top ( 6 ) made of non-self-supporting material which delineate the goods storage space, and also a loadbearing structure ( 7 ) which maintains the sidewalls, the bottom and the top made of non-self-supporting material so that they delineate said goods storage space, and the non-self-supporting material is disposed in the bottom ( 5 ) of the goods container in at least two, preferably three or four, layers.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a goods container for loading spaces in vehicles, preferably aircraft. The goods container comprises at least one goods storage space for the loading, storage, transport and unloading of goods.

Goods containers exist in many different versions which all comprise a bottom and usually one or more sidewalls and tops made of hard material. The resulting disadvantage, especially in air transport, is that the goods containers have to be placed at a distance from the walls of the aircraft body in order to prevent the occurrence of torsion forces in the aircraft body, thereby making optimum utilisation of the loading space impossible.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to eliminate said disadvantage of the state of the art and propose a goods container which allows optimum utilisation of a loading space in a vehicle, preferably in an aircraft.

This object is achieved according to the invention by the goods container comprising at least one sidewall, a bottom and a top made of non-self-supporting material which delineate the goods storage space, and also a loadbearing structure which maintains the sidewalls, the bottom and the top made of non-self-supporting material so that they delineate said goods storage space, and by the non-self-supporting material being disposed in the bottom of the goods container in at least two, preferably three or four, layers.

The result is a goods container with soft sidewalls which can be caused, for optimum utilisation of the loading space in the vehicle, to abut against, for example, the walls of an aircraft body without torsion forces being generated in the aircraft body by this abutment. Owing mainly to the soft bottom of the goods container, goods in the container will behave like loose goods. The soft bottom also results in better wear resistance and a slightly harder but resilient panel which does not generate any torsion forces in the aircraft body.

The collapsible and expandable configuration of and the material adopted for the goods container according to a further version of the invention also result in the goods container being of extremely low weight and occupying, when not in use, very little space.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art from examining the attached drawings and the detailed description set out below of preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 2 are schematic perspective views of a first version of a goods container according to the present invention in an expanded state.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a second version of a goods container according to the present invention in an expanded state and an opened state.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are schematic perspective views of a loadbearing structure in an expanded state for a third version of a goods container according to the present invention.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are schematic perspective views of a fourth version of a goods container according to the present invention in an expanded state.

FIG. 8 depicts in schematic perspective view how the goods container according to FIGS. 6 and 7 is used in a loading space in an aircraft.

Finally, FIG. 9 depicts schematically how the goods container according to FIGS. 6-8 is changed from a functional expanded state to an inactive state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The goods container according to the present invention in the versions depicted is intended to be used in loading spaces in aircraft but may also be used in loading spaces in other vehicles, e.g. in trucks, cargo watercraft etc. The goods container delineates at least one goods storage space for the loading, storage, transport and unloading of goods. Said goods may be of every kind normally transported in containers of the kind here concerned, e.g. air passengers' baggage.

For the goods container to be able to maintain low weight and at the same time afford adequate protection to goods situated in the goods storage space of the goods container, and in addition also prevent the generation of torsion forces in, for example, the aircraft body, the goods container comprises elements 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 made of non-self-supporting material which delineate said goods storage space. This means that the goods container comprises, all round, preferably some kind of soft material which copes with the stresses which goods containers of the kind here concerned have to withstand without disintegrating, e.g. without being torn or worn to pieces, while at the same time affording adequate protection for the goods in the goods container.

When not in use, the goods container is collapsed, i.e. folded or retracted to an inactive state in which it occupies very little space and is therefore easier to store. This means that during return transport without goods the volume of the goods container is also almost negligible. From the inactive state, the goods container is expandable, i.e. it can be deployed to a functional state in which the elements 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 made of non-self-supporting material delineate said goods storage space. From the functional state, the goods container can of course be collapsed back to the inactive state.

In a preferred version of the goods container according to the invention, the elements 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 delineating the goods storage space comprise a single piece of non-self-supporting material. This integral configuration eliminates any possibility of weak points in the non-self-supporting material.

The goods container according to the invention may be of any shape suited to the purpose. To facilitate the placing of a plurality of goods containers according to the invention adjacent to one another with a view to optimum utilisation of loading space capacity, however, the elements of the goods container which delineate the goods storage space preferably comprise sidewalls 1, 2, 3 and 4, a bottom 5 and a top 6. The number of sidewalls 1, 2, 3 and 4 is with advantage four, as depicted, but may vary. It is of advantage if the goods container is so configured that in the functional state it, i.e. substantially the goods storage space delineated by the elements 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 made of non-self-supporting material, has a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the vehicle, preferably an aircraft, which comprises the loading space in which the goods container is intended to be placed. Thus the goods container is preferably so configured that the goods storage space delineated by the elements 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 made of non-self-supporting material protrudes laterally from the bottom 5 of the goods container. In the embodiments depicted with four sidewalls 1, 2, 3 and 4, one or more, preferably two, mutually opposite sidewalls 2 and 4 are each provided with a bow-legged bend 2 a and 4 a respectively in such a way that said wall/walls runs/run obliquely outwards and upwards from the bottom 5 of the goods container to said bend and from the bend obliquely inwards and upwards to the top 6 of the goods container. For obvious reasons, the sidewalls 2, 4 with bends 2 a, 4 a face towards preferably the inside walls of the aircraft body so that these sidewalls largely follow the interior contour of the aircraft body. The sidewalls 2, 4 run obliquely outwards and upwards and obliquely inwards and upwards so that the bottom 5 and the top 6 of the goods container differ in size. Although the goods container according to the invention is not intended to be drawn across any substrate in a loading space but particularly to be placed on a conveying track which moves the goods container to a desired position in the loading space, it is possible to improve the wear resistance and provide a slightly harder but still resilient panel which does not generate any torsion forces in the aircraft body, by disposing the non-self-supporting material in the bottom 5 of the goods container in at least two, preferably three or four, layers. Alternatively, to facilitate expansion and retraction, the bottom 5 of the goods container may comprise a corresponding foldable sheet of non-self-supporting material, i.e. in principle a bottom substantially thicker than the other elements of the goods container which delineate the goods storage space. Such a sheet may also be made of some other non-self-supporting material. Other elements of the goods container, e.g. the top 6 of the goods container as in FIG. 9, may be maintained by the loadbearing structure 7 so that only the top is folded when the goods container has to be changed to an inactive state.

As previously indicated, the non-self-supporting material cannot itself delineate the goods storage space but the elements 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 thereof have to be maintained in a functional state by a loadbearing structure 7 which forms part of the goods container according to the present invention (see preferably FIG. 4). This loadbearing structure 7 may be integrated with the elements 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 made of non-self-supporting material or be disposed adjacent to or on said elements internally or externally about them. The loadbearing structure 7 is manually activable to change the goods container from an inactive state to a functional state. The loadbearing structure 7 may also be activable to change the goods container automatically from an inactive state to a functional state, i.e. the goods container may if so desired be so configured that upon activation of the loadbearing structure it is automatically blown or deployed to a functional state. The loadbearing structure 7 is also activable for manually or automatically returning the goods container to an inactive state. Automatic activation may be effected in any suitable manner by any desired suitable activating or triggering device.

According to a preferred embodiment of the goods container according to the invention, the loadbearing structure 7 is configured as a framework (FIG. 4). This framework 7 is made of a suitable material of high strength, low weight and great load absorption capacity, preferably a resilient material such as carbon fibre material. The framework 7 may be so configured that it is telescopically expandable and collapsible. Expanding and collapsing may be effected automatically or manually. The framework 7 may also be deployable and retractable. The framework 7 comprises with advantage elongate frame sections or tubes which delineate the extent of the goods container, i.e. preferably the sidewalls 1, 2, 3 and 4, the bottom 5 and the top 6 of the goods container.

Alternatively, the loadbearing structure 7 may comprise compressed-air hoses vulcanised into the elements 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 made of non-self-supporting material. Compressed air is therefore blown into the hoses to expand the goods container from an inactive state to a functional state. This may be effected automatically as indicated above or by connection to a suitable compressed air source (not depicted) on site for manual blowing in of compressed air. The air is released or drawn out from the hoses to collapse the goods container. Other versions of the loadbearing structure 7 are also possible.

The goods container does of course also comprise at least one portion for opening and closing of the goods container when it is in the functional state. As in the version according to FIGS. 6-8, the whole or at least part of at least one of the sidewalls 1 of the goods container is preferably configured for opening and closing of the goods container when it is in the functional state. Alternatively the goods container may be so configured that in the functional state it is divisible, e.g. in a direction transverse to its greatest extent (see FIG. 3). With a view to detecting unauthorised opening of the goods container, it comprises with advantage a device (not depicted) for indicating whether the goods container has been opened or not. This makes it easier to see whether goods have been stolen or changed and to take necessary measures quickly.

The non-self-supporting material may with advantage be an airtight material in cases where such material is necessary. In such cases a corresponding security or theft prevention measure as above may be effected by the goods container being provided with a device (not depicted) which indicates that air has entered the goods container.

FIG. 9 depicts schematically how a goods container can be collapsed and/or retracted from an expanded functional state to a inactive state. It is advantageous that the procedure for expanding the goods container be the opposite. Collapsing and/or retraction is achieved by the loadbearing structure 7 being collapsed or retracted until finally the top 6 lies on the bottom 5. Since in the version depicted the top 6 is larger than the bottom 5, the top is folded up in the manner depicted so that the top and the bottom are of the same extent and the goods container is ready for storage at a suitable location.

It will be obvious to one skilled in the art that the goods container according to the present invention can be modified and altered within the scope of the claims set out below without departing from the idea and object of the invention. Thus the goods container may be of any suitable shape and the elements of the goods container which delineate the goods storage space, and the loadbearing structure, may, apart from variations of shape, be made of any suitable material which meets the relevant functional requirements. It should be noted, however, that the non-self-supporting material as such need not be soft but should be so flexible that no load or force is applied to the elements of the vehicle, preferably the aircraft, against which elements of the goods container which are made of non-self-supporting material abut when the goods container is in use. Nor should said material be so rigid as to be free-standing, since it has to fold up when the loadbearing structure is retracted or collapsed. It should also be noted that various other types of non-self-supporting material may be used if so desired and depending on, for example, the requirements which the material has to meet and the purpose of the elements made of non-self-supporting material. A preferred example of non-self-supporting material is rubber-lined Kevlar. 

1. A goods container for loading spaces in vehicles, preferably in aircraft, which goods container comprises at least one goods storage space for the loading, storage, transport and unloading of goods, wherein the goods container comprises: at least one sidewall (1, 2, 3 and 4), a bottom (5) and a top (6) made of non-self-supporting material which delineate the goods storage space, and also a loadbearing structure (7) which maintains the sidewalls, the bottom and the top made of non-self-supporting material so that they delineate said goods storage space, and the non-self-supporting material is disposed in the bottom (5) of the goods container in at least two, preferably three or four, layers.
 2. A goods container according to claim 1, wherein the goods container is expandable from an inactive state to a functional state in which said sidewalls (1, 2, 3 and 4), bottom (5) and top (6) made of non-self-supporting material delineate said goods storage space, and is collapsible back from the functional state to the inactive state.
 3. A goods container according to claim 1, wherein said sidewalls (1, 2, 3 and 4), bottom (5) and top (6) delineating said goods storage space take the form of a single piece of non-self-supporting material.
 4. A goods container according to claim 1, wherein the bottom (5) and/or the top (6) of the goods container are/is foldable.
 5. A goods container according to claim 1, wherein the loadbearing structure (7) is integrated in said sidewalls (1, 2, 3 and 4), bottom (5) and top (6) made of non-self-supporting material or is disposed adjacent to or on said sidewalls, bottom and top internally or externally about them.
 6. A goods container according to claim 2, wherein loadbearing structure (7) is manually or automatically activatable to change the goods container from the inactive state to the functional state.
 7. A goods container according to claim 2, wherein the loadbearing structure (7) is manually or automatically activatable to change the goods container from the functional state, to the inactive state.
 8. A goods container according to claim 1, wherein the loadbearing structure (7) takes the form of a framework of preferably resilient material, e.g. carbon fibre material.
 9. A goods container according to claim 2, wherein the loadbearing structure (7) takes the form of a telescopically deployable and collapsible framework.
 10. A goods container according to claim 2, wherein the loadbearing structure (7) takes the form of a deployable and retractable framework.
 11. A goods container according to claim 8, wherein the framework (7) comprises elongate frame sections or tubes delineating the extent of the goods container.
 12. A goods container according to claim 8, wherein the framework (7) comprises elongate frame sections or tubes delineating the sidewalls (1, 2, 3 and 4), the bottom (5) and the top (6) of the goods container.
 13. A goods container according to claim 1, wherein the loadbearing structure (7) takes the form of compressed air hoses vulcanized into said sidewalls (1, 2, 3 and 4), bottom (5) and top (6) made of non-self-supporting material.
 14. A goods container according to claim 2, wherein the goods container comprises at least one portion for opening and closing of the goods container when it is in the functional state.
 15. A goods container according to claim 2, wherein the goods container comprises at least four sidewalls (1, 2, 3 and 4) and that the whole or at least part of at least one of the sidewalls is configured for opening and closing of the goods container when it is in the functional state.
 16. A goods container according to claim 2, wherein the goods container in the functional state is divisible for opening and closing of it.
 17. A goods container according to claim 14, wherein the goods container comprises a device which indicates whether the goods container has been opened or not.
 18. A goods container according to claim 1, wherein the non-self-supporting material is an airtight material.
 19. A goods container according to claim 18, wherein the goods container comprises a device which indicates whether air has entered the goods container.
 20. A goods container according to claim 1, wherein the goods container is so configured that the goods storage space delineated by said sidewalls (1, 2, 3 and 4), bottom (5) and top (6) made of non-self-supporting material has a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the vehicle, preferably an aircraft, which comprises the loading space in which the goods container is intended to be placed.
 21. A goods container according to claim 1, wherein the goods container is so configured that the goods storage space delineated by said sidewalls (1, 2, 3 and 4), bottom (5) and top (6) made of non-self-supporting material protrudes sideways from the bottom of the goods container.
 22. A goods container according to claim 21, wherein the goods container comprises four sidewalls (1, 2, 3 and 4), one or more of which, preferably two mutually opposite, sidewalls (2,4) is/are each provided with a bow-legged bend (2 a, 4 a) so that said wall or walls runs/run obliquely outwards and upwards from the bottom (5) of the goods container to said bend and from the bend obliquely inwards and upwards to the top (6) of the goods container.
 23. A goods container according to claim 22, wherein the bottom (5) and the top (6) of the goods container differ in surface area. 